Church at Crossroads - Doug Stringer

The Church at a Crossroads-which side are we on?

7-14-2012

Doug Stringer

A longtime friend, Bubba, used to be in a band called, “The Hope of Glory” that was quite popular in the 70’s & 80’s. The lyrics in one of their songs still play in my head, and I believe still asks a question of great relevance today: “Which side are you on boys, which side are you on...?”

We are living in unprecedented times! It seems on many fronts, we are confronted with a Crossroads, a Fork or “Y” in the road. In the U.S., as the national election approaches, it is unclear in which direction we are headed as well. It is a season which we must seek the Lord earnestly. The issues we all face must be addressed from the standard of God’s righteousness and not upon partisan lines. From Preachers to Politicians, we need a Revival of Character. We need leaders who love God and the people they’re called to serve, more than they love themselves.

In Ezekiel chapter 22, we see God addressing the nation of Israel. Interestingly, He speaks to the Princes, Politicians, Priests, Prophets & People. Likewise, today He is addressing every sphere of the culture, from Wall Street, Political offices, Pulpits & Pews, as well as all the self proclaimed prophets of Hollywood & Media. God addresses their compromise for personal preference and gain, thus ignoring the reality of just how far they have digressed. In Ezekiel 22:30, God asks if there is one who would stand in the gap for Him so that He would spare the land; yet He found no one.

We do find a sign of hope and redemption in Jeremiah 33 in which God reconfirms His covenant with His people and The Restoration of a Nation. In verse 6-7 the Lord declares that He will bring health and healing for the nation. There will be harvest and as stated in verse 11, there will be a voice of joy and gladness. They will declare, “Praise the Lord of hosts, For The Lord is Good, For His Mercy Endures Forever!”

God is the God of redemption; it’s not His desire that any would perish. Yet, for the restoration of a people and of a land, we, the people (the Church), must be honest with ourselves. Have we drifted from our moorings and not even noticed how dim our light has become? We, the Church, must re-align our bearings with God, the Father of Lights, from where every good and perfect gift comes from. (James 1:14-18). You can tell when the Sun is directly overhead at noontime on a Sundial, because there is no shadow. Likewise, when we are are at “High Noon” with God and aligned directly under The SON, darkness will not prevail.

But, there is a condition for the Restoration of a Nation and people. A familiar scripture speaks of a fundamental principle for such redemption. “IF My people (us, the church)who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face, AND turn from their Wicked Ways, THEN I WILL hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sin and HEAL THE LAND.” 2 Chronicles 7:14. You see, it starts with us.

Jeremiah 33:3 is a wonderful promise to us as we align ourselves to Him. “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” A New Testament verse, Ephesians 3:20 says it this way, “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.”

May we get back to “High Noon” with the Father of Lights, steward His every good and perfect gift, and let His Light shine in and through us. The soul of a nation and of a generation are at stake. The penned words that the late Leonard Ravenhill once wrote to me continue to resonate in my spirit; “My dearest brother Doug, Let others live on the raw or cutting edge...you and I should live on the edge of eternity.” Yes, there are yet so many shipwrecked in a sea of despair, confusion and brokenness without a bright light of hope. Jesus speaks to us, His Church; “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and Glorify your Father in heaven.”

The brightness of our light is dependent on what and Who we are reflecting. Are we reflecting the Ideologies of men or the Ideology of the Kingdom of our King? As the late Dr. Edwin Louis Cole, founder of the Christian Mens Network, used to say, “The Characteristics of The Kingdom, emanate from the Character of the King.”